Christopher Sanderson Spang

Christopher “Chris” Sanderson Spang, a well-known interior designer, died on Thursday, August 25 after suffering a fall. She was born in Orange, California on March 28, 1945, the daughter of Barbara French Sanderson and Edward G. Sanderson. Chris grew up in Evanston, Illinois and attended Brown University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in the arts. She also attended the Rhode Island School Design pursuing a degree in fashion design.

In 1967, Chris married John Spang, and in 1970 the couple moved to Calgary, Alberta where John served as a professor of geology and their son Bob was born. In 1980, the family moved to College Station, Texas when John joined the faculty of Texas A&M University. Shortly after arriving in Bryan, Chris started her successful interior design company, Christopher Designs.  After Chris closed her company, she continued to advise friends and clients on design issues. Her elegant taste, creative ideas, hard work, and cheerful demeanor ensured that her clients were delighted with the results of her work.

In 1984, Chris, along with Frances Handin and other women in the community were concerned about health care for pregnant women from low-income families. Brazos County lacked adequate prenatal care for women who lacked resources and the opportunity to see a doctor during their pregnancy. At the time, pregnancy outcomes for low-income women of Brazos County were comparable to outcomes of underdeveloped nations, so the need was clearly evident.

By December 1984, a group was formed whose goal was to establish such a facility. In one year, they overcame many obstacles to open a clinic, including convincing the community and local and state elected officials of the desperate need for such a facility. After hours of hard work and planning, The Prenatal Clinic opened its doors in December of 1985. Since the Clinic opened, Brazos County has transitioned from having one of the worst records for perinatal and infant mortality rates, to having one of the best records in the state. To date, over 20,750 women have been served by the doctors, nurses and staff of the Clinic.

A long-time member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Bryan, Texas, Chris also contributed her talents and energy to a number of other nonprofit organizations, including Voices for Children (the local CASA chapter). She was a long-time member of the Woman’s Club, one of the first philanthropic organizations in Bryan-College Station.  Chris’s warm smile and hearty laugh brought joy to many, and she will be long remembered for her talent, kindness and concern for others.

Chris is survived by her son Bob Spang, his wife Jill, and their children: Sarah, William, and Kathryn, as well as her brother Edward Sanderson and his wife Carol.

A memorial service is scheduled for September 9, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Callaway-Jones Funeral Center in Bryan, Texas.

In lieu of sending flowers, the family suggests people consider making a donation to The Prenatal Clinic or St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.